I groggily opened my eyes, blinking a few times in order to clear my vision, I attempted to bring my hand up to rub at my eyes. It was harder than I thought, lifting my arm, though as it reached my face it hit something.

My NerveGear.

My drowsiness immediately went away as I struggled to sit myself up, lifting the helmet off my head and set it on the table next to me. I breathed heavily, my heart monitor showing that I am in fact awake and out.

I'm out.

I'm free.

But I have this feeling...that I'm still not safe. I looked around my room, looking for anything that could be out of place, or anything I could use. My eyes landed on a red flashing button, the light letting me read what was printed on it.

"Hello, Ume," I jumped at the sudden voice, I noticed my room's door closing and a figure slinking forward. I shifted careful, pressing the button with my elbow as I scooted farther up my bed, showing a face of fear. "What's wrong, dear? Why are you so afraid of your husband-to-be?"

When he came into the moonlight that shone through the windows, I winced. His left eye was blood shot, and the skin around it was tightened, veins visible as they pulsed. It must be physical damage from the blow he took from Kazuto.

Kazuto.

I glare at Sugo, "I will never be your wife. I told you it would bite you in the ass one day, so man up, grow a pair, and face it; you've lost, Sugo."

He lets out an animalistic screech, making me jump and scramble as best as I could as he lunged himself on to my bed, pushing and pinning me down.

"You are mine! The contract may be over, but that doesn't mean I can't take you right now."

"No!" I shout, my voice cracking as I really struggled. My muscles having deteriorated over the two and half years of being unconscious. "Get off! Help! Som-"

He brought up my arms above my head, shoving one of the hand towels in my mouth, making me gag. He undid his tie and tied my wrists together, then to the side of the bed. "Now, now, my love, let's not let anyone disturb such an intimate moment. Our moment."

I glared, trying to thrash, but my body wouldn't respond.

No.

He yanked the blanket down, licking his lips.

No.

He pushed my legs up and apart and I began to breathe heavily, tears stinging. He was going to get away with it again, and this time, there isn't anyone to help me.

No, no, no...!

"Over here!"

"It is coming from Miss Ume's room!"

"Go, go, go!"

"What have you done, Ume?!" Sugo hissed, and my lips twitch up, smug, at his distress.

The door slammed open, and all any sound around me turned into white noise as he was finally pulled off me, a female officer running up to me with my doctor, who covered my lower body, and seemed to be asking questions, but none I could hear.

I could see Sugo screaming at me, struggling to wrench himself from the authorities.

I wanted him out.

I wanted him away.

"I'm okay," I rasped, suddenly blinded by light, and I slowly figured someone was flashing a light in my eyes to check my pupils, "I'm fine. I'm out. I'm okay. I'm fine. I'm-" hands landed on my shoulders, and I jerked, looking up with wide eyes, meeting my doctor- Doctor Mina. She looked tired.

"Ume, dear," I blinked, "you're just fine. He's not here anymore."

With that sentence, I sagged in relief, all tension leaving me.

"Kazuto...if- when he comes, please let him in."

"Mr. Kirigaya?" she asked, and I hummed, no longer wanting to speak. "I'll let security know, I'll get you some water, sweetie."

Doctor Mina has been working in our hospital for many years, I remember the years I would run around the hospital to get my parents' attention, but would always wind up playing with her instead.

I love my parents, but she practically raised me.

"Drink."

Struggling to swallow, I took small sips of water, already feeling so much better.

"Thank you."

Then, everything truly sunk in, and I began to cry.

-

After a round of routine check-ups, I convinced Doctor Mina to not call my parents until morning, and now, I was alone in my room, clenching and un-clenching my hands around my blanket.

Thinking back on everything that's happened, from SAO, to being trapped in Sugo's fantasy, the touches, kisses, caress—

Stop.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.

I don't have to deal with that anymore, Sugo has been arrested, taken away from me, and I'm back in the real world. But did I truly miss it out here? Back in reality?

Turning to look out the window, seeing the city lights, snow falling from the dark clouds, and mind wandering. If I could stay on SAO...I would have. Miserable as it was watching Kazuto and Asuna create a life together, even a family, it's how I had grown to live for two years.

Plus my uncle. If only I had realized sooner that Heathcliff was actually my uncle in disguise- and that my own creation would have killed so many players...

The sound of the door sliding up and panting made me blink, escaping my thoughts and turning to see who would come in the middle of the night.

Oh.

There, stood Kirigaya Kazuto in the flesh, staring at me with wide eyes, regaining his breath. He looked as he did in Sword Art Online, if not taller, and matured features as well. He was sixteen now, after all.

"Kazuto..." I rasped, throat refusing to recuperate even after drinking water.

"Ume..." he suddenly rushed forward, clambering up on my bed and hugging me, though it was so gentle, as though he was scared I would shatter in his arms. Again, my mind supplied, unhelpfully, "You're awake."

Bringing my arms up, though shakily, I returned the hug, holding on to his shoulders, letting out a breathy laugh, "Couldn't have done it without you." We stayed like that, simply holding each other, silence and presence being our comfort for each other.

It felt so nice to be in his arms. The warmth of it was making me melt, wanting nothing more to stay like this.

Opening my eyes, not realizing I had closed them, I was hit with the harsh reality that I may never have that. Not with Kazuto. Because he was with Asuna.

Asuna, Asuna, Asuna.

It's always Asuna.

But I wasn't about to go one with life, with him never knowing. I have to tell him, I need to!

Bringing my arms between us, I put some distance between us, but still intimately close, meeting his gaze, "Kazuto."

"Ume?" he questioned, seeming to not like me pushing him away, which made something in my stomach flutter. I breathed, reaching up and cupping his cheeks, never once did he blink.

"I have to tell you, after all of this, I have to," I rushed out, and not even giving him a chance to respond, I continued, "Kirigaya Kazuto. I am ridiculously, stupidly, and unfathomably in love with you."

I pulled his face closer while surging forward to meet him halfway, and then-

Then, I kissed Kirigaya Kazuto.